Nine years as an immigrant: Progress report

Well, it has been a bumpy road since leaving Canada in 1995 but I feel that I have found my place and that everything has come together nicely. I could clearly see what Canada had in store for me when I made the decision to leave: I was working at an insurance company taking notices of loss for C$10/hour. I was paid $1/hour extra because I spoke French, but all in all, I was only treading water. I realized that I would never be able to assure myself of the basics: i.e. shelter, transportation, pension.

I moved to Eastern Europe and worked at various magazines as an editor and then made the move to Indonesia in 1996. I had to learn Indonesian and do a degree in Indonesian in business at an Indonesian university while working full time. This was not easy, but I had committed to Indonesia and so decided it was worth the time. I was lucky to get a job at a British investment bank, Jardine Fleming, and then, after it was aquired by JPMorgan, I found myself working at one of the world's largest investment banks.

I moved to an accounting/consulting firm and have been there ever since. I married an Indonesian, bought a house and a car and am entirely debt free; I now concentrate on my retirement fund and one day moving to Bali. The only time I think about Canada is when I think about my poor parents whom I rarely see now: usually once a year if I can.

I am well adapted to Indonesia and would not live anywhere else; the only place I really miss in Canada is Montreal (I am originally from London). As for the weather, I thank God that I will never again feel the sting of the Canadian winter. It's 86 degrees here... each and every day without fail !

I have found that differences between peoples are for the most part purely linguistic; if you can master the other's language, the barriers generally drop. When you can speak the way they do, you also master their way of thinking. When you are both on the same wavelength, it is hard for anyone to view you differently or disrespect you.

On the negative side, a foreigner can never ever become an Indonesian or even a permanent resident. The best you can get is a 5-year visa but your fate is ultimately at the whim of an immigration official who decides if you stay or go. There is also political uncertainty to deal with. However, I have accepted these facts and have learnt to deal with them.